Applied Social Science Research in a Regional Knowledge System Balancing validity, meaning and convenience

This book illustrates how applied social scientists and their research are integrated with stakeholders and practitioners in a local/regional setting, and how knowledge development is a mutual concern, made in, and dependent on, ongoing dialogue. Focusing on the Agder region, the southernmost region in Norway, researchers and contributors question what impact the changing economic environment will have on applied researchers around the world. Applied research is seen as a vital part of the infrastructure for economic and social development, in the Agder region and beyond. The chapters are divided into four parts: the spatial dimension of knowledge development; understanding regional practice; explaining regional practice; influencing regional social practice. A useful resource for both policy makers and researchers, the book helps readers reflect on the type of mutual competence building that applied social science research implies, and depends on, in a regional knowledge development process. It represents a voice on how to understand the development of the knowledge society at regional and global levels.

Part I: The special dimension of knowledge development 1.Developing a sustainable business model in a changing economy Roger Henning Normann, Eugene Guribye and Kristin Wallevik 2.Why Norway has to develop its own innovation policy Arne Isaksen 3.Knowledge transfer in different regional contexts Nina Kyllingstad and Elisabet S. Hauge 4.Collective knowing James Karlsen and Miren Larrea Part II: Understanding regional practice 5.Opening or reproducing understandings Mikaela Vasstrøm 6.Social integration of refugees May-Linda Magnussen and Ingunn Kvamme 7.Comparative reflection Hanne Haaland and Hege Wallevik 8.Phenomenology of music students Elisabet S. Hauge 9.Power and knowledge Jørn Cruickshank and Hege Wallevik Part III: Explaining regional practice 10.Network ties between universities and cultural and creative industries Barbara Zyzak, Rómulo Pinheiro and Elisabet S. Hauge 11.The usefulness of applied research Christine Svarstad and Ellen Nyhus 12.Regional knowledge infrastructure Sissel Strickert 13.The Mittelstand Michael Ricke, Kristin Wallevik and Geir Jørgensen Part IV: Influencing regional social practice 14.Getting China-ready Sarah Holst Kjær 15.Business models for new experiential services Tor Helge Aas and Geir Jørgensen 16.Commitment to sustainability in Agder Stina Torjesen and Karen Landmark 17.Universities’ external relations Hans Chr. Garmann Johnsen, Roger Normann and Rómulo Pinheiro Conclusion: Applied social science research in the regional knowledge system Hans Chr. Garmann Johnsen, Elisabet Sørfjorddal Hauge, May-Linda Magnussen and Richard Ennals References

Hans Christian Garmann Johnsen is a Professor in the Department of Working Life and Innovation at the University of Agder, Norway, and a Senior Researcher at Agder Research, Norway. He is also Professor at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway. Elisabet S. Hauge is a Senior Researcher at Agder Research, Norway, and post doc at the University of Agder, Norway. May-Linda Magnussen, PhD, is a Senior Researcher at Agder Research, Norway, and post doc at the University of Agder, Norway. Richard Ennals is Professor in the Department of Working Life and Innovation at the University of Agder, Norway. He is also Professor in the Department of Skill and Technology at Linnaeus University, Sweden, and Emeritus Professor at Kingston University, UK.